In a New Year’s Eve tilt at PNC Arena, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the league-leading Washington Capitals 4-2, snapping Washington’s nine-game winning streak.
The Hurricanes (16-17-5) were led by their top players and solid goaltending from Eddie Lack to top the Capitals (28-7-2) in a thrilling, action-packed game.
The Canes played a solid first period, led by the team’s top forward line of Eric Staal, Elias Lindholm and Kris Versteeg. The group dominated puck possession and created several quality scoring chances, while also making key defensive plays to keep the potent Capitals offense off the scoreboard.
Canes forward Jordan Staal hit the goal post twice in one sequence on the man-advantage in the first period, but the two teams headed to the dressing room scoreless.
The Canes, once again, came close to scoring on a power play in the second period, as a Carolina shot beat Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer, but the puck failed to entirely cross the goal line.
Shortly after the close call, Carolina finally found the back of the net while rushing into the Washington zone with speed. Forward Joakim Nordstrom received a drop pass from Jordan Staal, and then found forward Phil Di Giuseppe with a perfect cross-ice pass. Di Giuseppe fired a one-timer past Grubauer to give the Canes a 1-0 lead.
“It was huge,” Di Giuseppe said. “They haven’t allowed more than two goals in their last four games. We knew it was going to be tough. It was good to get that one on the scoresheet.”
The Caps quickly answered with a goal of their own on a beautiful, individual play by forward Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom entered the Canes zone and put a move on Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk, then made his way to the slot, where he fired a laser over the left shoulder of netminder Eddie Lack.
After coming close and playing well all night, the Canes top line finally struck in the first minute of the final period.
Forward Eric Staal, alone on the opposite side of the net, received a pass from Elias Lindholm and fired it toward the open net, where it was originally ruled that Grubauer somehow made a highlight reel save with his paddle. After video review, the play was ruled a goal as the puck crossed the goal line before Grubauer’s stick made contact, giving the Canes a 2-1 advantage.
“I was pretty sure it went in, but you don’t want to celebrate like a real yahoo and then it gets called back,” Eric Staal said. “He made a desperation save attempt. (It) was close, but not close enough.”
Carolina forward Jeff Skinner added what ended up being the game-winning goal to make it 3-1, just a few minutes later. Forward Riley Nash, found Skinner alone in the slot with a pass from behind the goal line.
The Capitals pulled to within one on Alexander Ovechkin’s 21st goal of the season, following a turnover in the Carolina zone by Canes rookie defenseman Noah Hanifin.
Despite a late Washington charge, Carolina fended off the pressure, and forward Andrej Nestrasil added an empty-net goal to secure a 4-2 Hurricanes victory.
Just like his last start, Lack was great in net, stopping 30 of 32 shots to keep one of the league’s best offense’s from getting into a groove and catching fire.
“It was a good effort by everybody. I thought all four lines played real well,” Eric Staal said. “Eddie was good when he needed to be. It was a good effort.”
